Treasure in the Attic: Time to look at selling old jewelry

September 5, 2011

Have any old gold jewelry that you would like to turn into cash? Now is the time to sell it with gold reaching a high of $1,908 an ounce. Anything marked 10-karat means that it has 42 percent gold content and 58 percent other metals. 14-karat gold is actually 58 percent pure gold and about 75 percent of the content of 18-karat jewelery is gold. Therefore, a 14-karat gold ring that weighed about an ounce would be worth $1,106.64 or 58 percent of $1,908 the current market value, from there, a seller could expect to receive an offer of around 60 percent to 80 percent for the ring.

If you have gold jewelery or an entire collection you would like to sell outright for cash contact george@jones-horan.com or give george a call at 1-800-622-8120.

Letters from readers

Question: I have a sword from the early 1900s. Was curious of what it might be worth? - T.G., Marietta.

Answer: What you have is a model 1902 staff officers Saber. They were made around 1902-1914 by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Mass. More than 5,600 of the sabers were made; the signature on your photo is not clear enough for me to offer more detail. It would be helpful to know the length of the blade from the guard to the top. Without more information, I cannot give you a more precise value other than $500+ plus, but with better photos I can be more helpful.

Q.: I have an old set of scales that my parents gave me when they sold their house. The house was more than 100 years old and this set of scales was in the house. Can you tell me how old they are and what they may be worth? - M.M., Marietta.

A.: Your set of grocery store scales were manufactured by the Standard Computing Scale Co. in Detroit in the 1930s. These kinds of scales have little value to collectors because of their large size and heavy weight, value $50 to $200. Their value lies with interior designers and decorators.

Q.: I have a 1960 No. 4 vintage Barbie doll including doll clothes and carrying case. Also have a lot of old coins. Quite a few of the coins are from the Netherlands. Can you help me sell them? - G.O., Marietta.

- Postcard, 1910, two men sitting in chairs in front of Blennerhassett Hotel Parkersburg, $143.50.

- Matchcover, Clydes Place Service Station, Beverly, $4.

- Postcard, 1920s Birds Eye View of Marietta, $15.

- Badge, 1903 Gar Encampment metal badge, 37th annual, $33.

Larry Koon is the author of several price guide books on antiques and collectibles. His column appears every Monday on Life. Send letters to Treasure in the Attic, c/o The Marietta Times, 700 Channel Lane, Marietta 45750; or e-mail him at koonantiques@yahoo.com.